The Home Office has closed its Tier 1 Investor visa route to all new applications.

Key Points:

  • As of Feb. 17, foreign nationals can no longer apply for an initial Tier 1 Investor visa. The route had allowed individuals to stay and live in the U.K. if they invested funds in companies registered in the U.K.
  • Foreign nationals who currently hold Tier 1 Investor visas can apply to extend their Tier 1 Investor visa before Feb. 17, 2026, and apply for settlement before Feb. 17, 2028. In addition, if an individual had a Tier 1 Investor visa which expired or lapsed in the last 12 months, and they have maintained compliant investments, they may be able to apply for a Tier 1 Investor visa before Feb. 17, 2026.
  • U.K. immigration authorities will be making reforms to the Innovator route in the coming months to provide a new investment route for those wishing to live and work in the U.K.

Additional Information: More information regarding the closure of the Tier 1 Investor visa route is available here.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

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